Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus.



A. W. PEARSALL'.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOVf24, 1908.

1,1 02, 1 65. Patented June so, 191

4 SHEETS-*SHBET l.

COLUMBIA PLANonnMm C0,. WASHINGTON, n. C

Patentd June 30,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1908.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII c0..wAsmscn'cN. D. c.

A. W. PEARSALL.

PNEUMATIC DBSPATOH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 24, 1908.

1,1 02, 1 65, Patented June 30,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

Moran.

A. W. PBARSALL.

PNEUMATIC DESPATOH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 24, 1908.

1, 1 O2, 1 65. Patented June 30, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

mm W ominous-mu. [I I- o rrn STATES PATENT oration.

ALBERT W. PEARSALL, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LAMSON COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PNEUMATIC-DESPATCELTUBE APPARATUS.

Application filed November 24, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT WV. PEARSALL of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of lVIassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Despatch-Tube Appa -atus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic despatch tube apparatus in gen oral, and more particularly to that type known as the unit system, so designated be cause there is an individual power unit supplying a single line of transmission tube in which rections.

By means of this invention a single power unit is adapted to operate two lines of transmission tubcs by (ZOIiIlOUtlflg one to each side of a positive pressure blower. Therefore, when one line of transmission tube is having air blown through it the other may have air drawn through it; or when one is being operated with air pressure above that of the atmosphere the other may be operated by air at or below atmospheric pressure.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a system of pneumatic transmission adapted for use where basements or engine rooms are not available for the installation of the operating machinery.

A further object is to provide, as nearly as possible, a noiseless means for effecting the transmission of carriers and for promptly arresting thereafter the operation of the blower or pump used for effecting such transmission.

Another feature of the invention is that two points at a distance from each other may be served by a single power equipment and by means of a single transmission tube connecting said two points; the construction being such that when no useful purpose is being effected, no operating expense need be entailed.

An especially novel feature of the present construction is the provision of means whereby the air current generated by the blower or pump used for transmission purposes, may be utilized as a source of power for shifting the position of a device which controls said air current.

Specification of Letters Patent.

:arricrs are transmitted in both di- Serial No. 464,275.

In the accompanying drawings I have controller with the top plate removed showingthe blade or vane adapted to revolve in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the system, showing in elevation and plan the mechanism for changing the direction of the air current in the transmission tubes. Fig. (3 is a cross section through the lower part of one of the terminals showing the switch box, also in section. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the switch box, showing the switch in open position. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view showing the means for rocking the shaft of the switch at the terminal. Fig. 5) is an enlarged detail plan view of the switch-bmrd controlling the several electric circuits. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of one of the tube terminals showing the circuit breaker to be operated by a carrier passin through the terminal.

Li to reference characters designate like parts throughout the several. views.

As shown in Fig. l the blower A is driven by the electric motor A and as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, said blower is connected on one side to the air shifter B by the pipe A and on the other side to said air shifter by means of the pipe A; the connections l3 and B to said pipes at the air shifter being tangentially arranged and diametrically opposite, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and i; the remaining connections B and B of the air shifter B, being also tangentially arranged.

and diametrically opposite each other and at right angles to the connections B and B". These latter connections B and B are rcspcctively connected to standpipcs C and C, which connect in turn with the terminals C and C respectively. Connecting terminal S with the terminal C, as shown in Fi 5,

is the transmission tube D; and connecting the terminal S to the terminal C is a second transmission tube D, as shown in Flg. 1. The terminals C and C are fitted wlth Patented June 30, 1914..

valves G, pinned to the shaft C which is carried by the ears C which form. part of the terminal body; said valves being adapted to be open for the admission of carriers. The valves of the terminals C and'C are normally held in the position shown by the usual helical springs surrounding the shafts C", which are pinned to said valves and carry on one end a contact blade C insulated from the shaft. C, and which blade completes a circuit through the plates C when the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 1, but which when the latter is opened by the impact of the carrier, breaks the circuit.

A diaphragm E is mounted in an opening of each of the terminals C and C said diaphragm being connected by means of a stem to the lever E which is pivoted at E, as shown in Fig. 1. This lever is formed so that its lower end will act as a catch to hold the valves C closed when pressure of the air is exerted on the diaphragm E; where as when a partial vacuum is formed on the inner side of said diaphragm E this catch is held by atmospheric pressure so as not to interfere with the opening of the valves (1*.

The outer terminals S and S are of the ordinary open chute type fitted with circuit breakers S and S The air shifter B is shown in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4e and consists of a circular case B having at its outer circumference four tangentially arranged inlets B B 13 and B" located at 90 degrees apart.

lVithin the case and fixed to the shaft B is the blade or vane B which preferably fits as close to all surfaces of the case as possible while yet permitting of free rotation.

The shaft B extends through case cover B and carries the commutators B and Each commutator has two segments, diametrically opposite each other and the commutators on the shaft B are so positioned that the segments of one commutator are at right angles to those of the other. ()n the shaft B is fixed a ratchet wheel B with four teeth quadrantly arranged and all adapted to be operatively engaged with theescapement lever B by means of the spring B secured at B. The escapement lever B has afiixed to it armature B which is attracted by the mag-' nets 0 when energized; said magnets being carried on the case cover B.

Mounted on the case cover are two insulating supports F and F with brushes; the brushes F and If carried by the support F being in contact with commutator B and the brushes F and I" carried by the support F being in contact with commutator B Referring to Fig. 5, the blowerA is adapted to rotate in a direction which supplies air under pressure through the connection A into the air shifter through 13; the blade being held in the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5 at O. The air passes through the air shifter and out through I3 standpipe C, terminal C and transmission tube D,'exhausting through terminal S at the same time air is taken in through terminal C standpipe G, into air shifter through B and through the latter and its connections B and A into the blower.

In Fig. 9 is shown the switch-board controlling the different electric circuits of the system. The switch H in its closed position, closes the circuit of the main line feed wires H and H to the fuses J, J", from which lead the wires of the several branch circuits. Also upon the switch-board is pivoted the swinging switch J which controls the several branch circuits. This swinging switch is actuated to close or open the branch circuits by the magnet J when the latter is energized. The operation of the several switches in detail. will be explained farther on.

In Fig. 10 is shown the circuit breaker L in the wire K, at the terminal. S The construction of this circuit breaker is the same as circuit breaker L? at the terminal S. The circuit breaker L comprises a pivoted lever L pressed by the spring L to normally extend into the path of travel of the carriers through the terminal S On the body of the terminal S is the electric contact K and on the lever L is a similar contact I When the lever is in its normal position the two contacts are in engagement to complete the electric circuit through the wire K at that point. A passing carrier will move the lever to separate the contacts to break the circuits through the wire K at that point.

The operation of the system is as follows: In despatching a carrier from a central station X tostation S the handle G which is carried onthe air shifter shaft B is rotated in the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrows in the air shifter, Fig. t, so that communication is established between the connections B and B The push buttjon G is then pressed, when an electric circuit will be completed through the main line; fuse J, line K, circuit breaker L, push button G line M, circuit breaker L line M, circuit breaker L )ush button G line Q, contact J on the relay motor starter, line Q2, ,magnets J line Q, to fuse J 4 of the main line; the magnets J 3 being energized by the completion of this circuit attract the armatin'e J carried on swing switch J completing the relay circuit as follows: through fuse J, line K, circuit breaker L, line K, push button G line M, circuit breaker L line M, circuit breaker L line M, push but ton G line M, push button G, line M, circuit breaker L, line R, to contact J 7 through switch J contact J line Q, through magnets J to main line fuse J*. The magnets hpld the swinging switch J in engagement with the contacts J and J completing a circuit through fuse J, line K, motor A line K contact J through swing switch J contact J line K to main line fuse J It will thus be seen that the motor will be started which actu ates the blower, and a car rier if then inserted in terminal C will be blown to and out of terminal S breaking the circuit at L and thereby deenergizing magnets J whereupon switch J will be moved clockwise to its motor-stopping position by the action of its spring J It is apparent that the air current at terminal S will not, under the conditions described, be capable of beingdriven in a direction to despatch from that point to terminal C; but when push button Gr is actuated, an electric circuit is completed through fuse J, line K, circuit breaker L, line K, push button G, line S, brush F commutator B brush F, line S, magnet line S, contact J swing switch J, contact J line S to fuse J thus energizing the magnet O and attracting the armature B thereby actuating the escapement B which allows the blade in the air shifter B to make a one-quarter turn substantially coincident with the completion of the circuit controlled by the push buttonG This rotary move ment of the blade or vane B is due to the following conditions: When button G" is closed a circuit is completed through fuse J, line K, circuit breaker L, line K, push button G line P, push button G line Q, contact J, line Q, magnets J, line Q, main line fuse J"; thus actuating the swing switch breaking the circuits at contacts J and J 1 and completing circuits through contacts J and J", starting the motor and blower.

The blower drives acurrent of air through A and B which impinges strongly against the adjacent dished or concave surface of blade B before it can emerge through D as above described; it being borne in mind that this blade is, under the conditions described, in its dotted line position, as viewed in Fig. 4.

The blade when button G was pressed was held against rotation by the latching engagement of pawl B with its ratchet. \Vhen G is pressed, however, the ratchet is released as has been stated, and hence the blade rotates in the direction of the arrows and places 13 in communication with B as shown by the full outlined blade in Fig. 41:. Simultaneously 13 is placed in communication with the exhaust side of the blower via 13" and A and a vacuum is created in tube 1), whereby carriers may be transmitted. from S to X. The air thus generated having rotated the blade of the circuit shifter 13 as stated, it will now be seen that an attempt to reverse the air which would be flowing out of terminal S, by actuating the push button G, would have no effect on the air shifter due to the fact that the air shifter circuit which is in multiple with the motor starting circuit is broken at contacts J and J. It also will be seen that where a second carried is to bedespatched at terminal after the delivery of the first, the air shifter will be unaffected by push button (i as the commutator 13" will have rotated so that the segments will not be in contact with brushes, F, and F but the motor will be started and the carrier transmitted to terminal C breaking the circuit at L and stopping the motor.

A similar cycle. will be gone through if push button G" be pushed, release of the air shifter being eil'ected in this case in part through the instrumentality of brushes F and F, comnlunicator B" and line T,-the motor starting circuit being completed through U instead of through lines 1 and 1' am aware that various changes and modifications maybe made in my system and in certain. of the novel elements thereof without departing from the spirit of my invention and 1 hence desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

In COlltilllSlOll it may be well to direct attention to the fact that the (:(mstructions shown in Figs. 1. and 5 are in. nearly all respects identical; practically the only differences involved being that in Fig. 1, the tube 1) is shown as extending upwardly through a floor to a terminal S instead of upwardly and then downwardly as said tube is bent in Fig. 5; while the tube D in Fig. 1, is practically identical with the tube 1) shown in Fig. 5, the tube merely being given a slight difference iircontour.

Obviously, therefore, all details of construction which concern the essential elements are the same in both cases and since a separate description would have rendered the case urmecessarily lengthy the slightly variant forms shown respectively in Figs. 1 and 5 have been considered together.

l-l aving thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 01. the United States is;

1. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a single tube for the transmission of carriers in either direction, an air pump, means for driving said air pump, means connecting the high and low pressure sides of said pump with one end of said tube, one side of said pump being normally held in communication with said transmisison tube, and maans in said connecting means adapted to be operated directly by the air current, for shifting communication of said transmission tube to the opposite side of said pump.

2. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a central station, a plurality of subpump, means at each of said stations for starting said motor, and means directly operable by the current of air generated by said pump, for switching the flow of air through any of said tubes in the direction required :for the transmission of a carrier therethrouglr and means for controlling said last mentioned means from one at least oi? said stations.

3. in a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a blower or pump, means for driving said blower or pump, a single tube for the transmission of carriers in either direction connected with the pressure sideof said blower or pump, a single tube for the transmission of carriers in either direction connected with the vacuum side of said pump, means adapted to be operated from either end of said tubes for starting and stopping said driving means whereby said blower or pump creates a high pressure in one of said tubes and a vacuum in the other of said tubes, means operable by the air current under determined conditions for reversing said connections to create a vacuum in said pressure tube and a pressure in said vacuum tube, and co-acting means for establishing said conditions.

4. In a pneumatic despatch tube appara tus, an air-pump having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, a plurality of transmission tubes adapted to be placed in communication with said pump for the transmission of carriers, means for operatively connecting one or another of said tubes to one of the said sides of said pump, said means including a member movable by the air current generated by said pump, meansfor normally holding said member against movement by said air current and means for releasing said holding means.

5. In a pneumatic despatch tube appara' tus, an air-pump having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, a plurality of transmission tubes adapted to be placed in com munication with said pump for the transmission of carriers, a means for operatively connecting one or another of said tubes to one of the said sides of said pump, said means including a member movable by the air current generated by said pump, and means for controlling from a relatively remote point the movement of said member by said air current.

6. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, an air-pump having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, a plurality of transmission tubes adapted to be placed in communication with said pump for the transmission'of carriers, means for operatively connecting one or another of said tubes to one of the said sides of said pump, said means including a member movable by the air current generated by said pump, and electrically operated means for controlling the movement of said member by said air current. 1

7. In a pneumatic despatch tube system, an air pump having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, two transmission tubes adapted to be placed in communication with said pump, one to receive air therefrom and the other to deliver air thereto, a mechanism for changing, in accordance for service conditions in said system, the connections between said tubes and pump, to transmit carriers in either direction through either of said tubes, said mechanism including a vane movable by the impingement thereagainst of the air current generated by said pump.

8. In a pneumatic despatch tube system, an air pump having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, two transmission tubes adapted to be placed in communication with said pump, one to receive air therefrom and the other to deliver air thereto, mechanism for changing, in accordance with service conditions in said instrument, the connections between said tubes and pump, to transmit carriers in either direction through either of said tubes, said mechanism including a vane movable by the impingement thereagainst of the air current generated by said pump, and means for controlling said movement ofsaid vane.

9. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a pump, a normally open transmission tube adapted to be placed in communication with said pump, means for establishing substantially open communication between said pump and said tube to cause a carrier transmitting flow of air through said tube, said.

means also adapted to dis-establish said communication and including a member di rectly movable by the impingement thereagainst of the air current generated by said. pump, to dis-establish said communication, said member having provisions to enable it to effectively resist the action of said current until determined operative conditions have been established in said system.

10. In a pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, a pump, a transmission tube adapted to be placed in communication with said pump, means for establishing substantially open communication between said pump and said tube to cause a carrier transmitting flow of air through said tube, said means also adapted to dis-establish said communication and including a member directly movable by the impingement thereagainst of the air current generated by said pump, to disestablish said communication, said. member of two subscribing witnesses, this 23rd day having PIOVlSlOIlS to enable 1t to eflectively of November A. D. 1908.

resist the action of said current until de- 1 )r1 termined operative conditions have been es- ALBILIMI PLARbALL' 5 tablished in said system. Witnesses:

In testimony whereof, I have signed my M. 1 Gooolme, name to this specification in the presence A. L. Mimsnn.

Copies of this patent mny be obtained iozr iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

1 Washington, D. 0.? 

